HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author Manuscript
J Neurol Neuromedicine. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 February 28. Published in final edited form as: J Neurol Neuromedicine. 2016 ; 1(8): 10–18.
Feasibility study for remote assessment of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis Michaela F. George, PhD1,*, Calliope B. Holingue, MPH1,*, Farren B.S. Briggs, PhD, ScM2, Xiaorong Shao, MA1, Kalliope H. Bellesis3, Rachel A. Whitmer, PhD3, Catherine Schaefer, PhD3, Ralph HB Benedict, PhD4, and Lisa F. Barcellos, PhD, MPH1,3 1Division
Author Manuscript
of Epidemiology, Genetic Epidemiology and Genomics Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA 2Department
of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA 3Kaiser
Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA, USA
4Jacobs
MS Center, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA
Abstract
Author Manuscript
Background—Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), and affects employment and quality of life. Large studies are needed to identify risk factors for cognitive decline. Currently, a MS-validated remote assessment for cognitive function does not exist. Studies to determine feasibility of large remote cognitive function investigations in MS have not been published. Objective—To determine whether MS patients would participate in remote cognitive studies. We utilized the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M), a previously validated phone assessment for cognitive function in healthy elderly populations to detect mild cognitive impairment. We identified factors that influenced participation rates. We investigated the relationship between MS risk factors and TICS-M score in cases, and score differences between cases and control individuals. Methods—The TICS-M was administered to MS cases and controls. Linear and logistic regression models were utilized.
Author Manuscript
Results—11.5% of eligible study participants did not participate in cognitive testing. MS cases, females and individuals with lower educational status were more likely to refuse (p5) with a smaller score indicating more ‘mild’ disease. The second dichotomous variable was based on extreme ends of the MSSS distribution, defined as MSSS
J Neurol Neuromedicine. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 February 28. Published in final edited form as: J Neurol Neuromedicine. 2016 ; 1(8): 10–18.
Feasibility study for remote assessment of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis Michaela F. George, PhD1,*, Calliope B. Holingue, MPH1,*, Farren B.S. Briggs, PhD, ScM2, Xiaorong Shao, MA1, Kalliope H. Bellesis3, Rachel A. Whitmer, PhD3, Catherine Schaefer, PhD3, Ralph HB Benedict, PhD4, and Lisa F. Barcellos, PhD, MPH1,3 1Division
Author Manuscript
of Epidemiology, Genetic Epidemiology and Genomics Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA 2Department
of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA 3Kaiser
Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA, USA
4Jacobs
MS Center, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA
Abstract
Author Manuscript
Background—Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), and affects employment and quality of life. Large studies are needed to identify risk factors for cognitive decline. Currently, a MS-validated remote assessment for cognitive function does not exist. Studies to determine feasibility of large remote cognitive function investigations in MS have not been published. Objective—To determine whether MS patients would participate in remote cognitive studies. We utilized the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M), a previously validated phone assessment for cognitive function in healthy elderly populations to detect mild cognitive impairment. We identified factors that influenced participation rates. We investigated the relationship between MS risk factors and TICS-M score in cases, and score differences between cases and control individuals. Methods—The TICS-M was administered to MS cases and controls. Linear and logistic regression models were utilized.
Author Manuscript
Results—11.5% of eligible study participants did not participate in cognitive testing. MS cases, females and individuals with lower educational status were more likely to refuse (p5) with a smaller score indicating more ‘mild’ disease. The second dichotomous variable was based on extreme ends of the MSSS distribution, defined as MSSS
